HTC working on pair of Windows RT tablets for Q3 2013 launch

The HTC Flyer was an Android powered tablet

Days after rumors started spreading about a 10 inch Windows RT tablet to be produced by Nokia, Bloomberg is reporting that Taiwan manufacturer HTC is working on a pair of Windows RT tablets to be launched in the third quarter of 2013. Originally, it was believed that Microsoft had blocked HTC from producing a Windows tablet because of its lack of experience in the tablet market. Two Android tablets that were manufactured by HTC, the HTC Flyer and HTC Jetstream, were considered to be overpriced by Microsoft. Additionally, the water cooler talk was that HTC wanted to customize the start screen on its Windows RT tablet, and the guys in Redmond were having none of that.

It seems that HTC and Microsoft have mended their relationship. Bloomberg says that a person close to the project is telling them that the manufacturer is working on a 12 inch tablet, and a 7 inch model to compete with the Google Nexus 7, Amazon Kindle Fire and the Apple iPad mini. Both models will be powered by Windows RT and use a Qualcomm processor. Looking for an edge in the highly competitive 7 inch tablet market, one source says that HTC will offer calling capabilities on its device. In addition, it would be the first Windows RT powered tablet with a 7 inch display.

HTC had looked into the prospect of producing a Windows 8 Pro model that would be powered by an Intel processor, but decided not to build the unit because of the estimated $1,000 price it would have to charge for it. The company also considered a 5 inch Windows Phone 8 handset, but had to reject the idea because Windows Phone 8 will not support a resolution higher than 720p, which would result in a poor pixel density for a 5 inch screen.

The Taiwan based manufacturer is trying to turn things around after a poor third quarter that saw net profits drop by 80%. 

"HTC is still donating market share to Samsung and Apple, and its net profits are shrinking in dramatic fashion. In our assessment, other market-share donors include Nokia, Motorola, LG and Sony."-Mark Sue, RBC Capital Markets analyst